Causes of Glandular fever

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Glandular fever is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. It is passed on through saliva and the mucus produced in the nose and throat. Because itâ€™s mainly spread in saliva and through close contact, it is sometimes called â€˜the kissing disease.â€™ It is only rarely passed on through airborne droplets in coughs and sneezes, as it is much less infectious than other viral infections, such as the common cold. A person with glandular fever is most infectious when they have a fever (high temperature).

The Epstein-Barr virus affects cells in the salivary glands and certain white blood cells called B-lymphocytes, which produce antibodies against diseases. The infection begins in the salivary glands, where large amounts of the virus are released into the saliva, and then spread to the B-lymphocytes. These white blood cells then multiply, and cause the lymph glands to swell up and become painful.